AMHERST, Mass. – The Mount Holyoke College riding team enjoyed an outstanding Halloween on Saturday, winning the Amherst College Show at Biscuit Hill Farm. The Lyons complied a total of 43 points for the victory, which was highlighted by high point rider honors to junior captain Bridget Finnerty.
Repeating her stellar performance from last weekend, Finnerty started off the day with a win in Open Fences. First year Grace Tice and sophomore Mollie Kowalchik received second and fifth, respectively in the same class.
Senior Laura Von der Porten continued her outstanding efforts this season in Intermediate Fences with a second place finish in the first section. The second section of saw senior Genevieve Couldwell and first-year Julia Robinson ride to the win and to second place, respectively.
Next up was Novice Fences and in section A, junior Cam Carter finished second, while in section B, sophomore Taryn Isenburg and junior Sarah Felman were fifth and reserve, respectively. The final section of the class saw first year Daisy Sears claim victory.
In Advanced Walk-Trot-Canter, sophomore Sabrina Fox captured the blue ribbon. The second section saw Frances Eisinger receive second in her IHSA debut, while in the final section, Maggie Stuart grabbed victory. Beginning Walk-Trot-Canter saw Emily Tarantini finish first, while in Walk-Trot, sophomore Katherine Marshall-Kramer earned second place. Sophomore Illianna Termuehlen also had an outstanding ride, finishing first overall.
Novice flat followed with sophomore Anna Rzchowski and senior Jackie Azelby receiving first and third, respectively. Next first year Emma Recchi was a winner, while sophomore Emily Holowczak rode to fourth in the final section.
Junior Allee Platanitis picked up the blue ribbon in the first section of Intermediate Flat, while Von der Porten and Sears took home second and reserve, respectively.
Rounding out the day were the two classes of open flat. Tice and sophomore Maddy Skrak received second and third, respectively, while Finnerty and Carter rode well to earn the win and fourth, respectively.
Finnerty was named the overall High Point Rider, while Von der Porten was the Intermediate High Point Rider.
Mount Holyoke returns to action on November 14 when it travels to the UMass/Amherst Show.
The overall team standings ended up as follows:
MHC: 43 Points
Amherst: 28 Points
Smith College: 27 Point
Williams College: 23 Points
UMass Amherst: 21 Points
Springfield College: 14 Points
Westfield State University: 13 Points
Hampshire College: 12 Points
Bennington College: 3 Points
Photo courtesy of Carol Law.
